File-case



(N0'M0de1.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1'. A. J. WELLS.-

PILE CASE.

No. 466,969. Patented Jan. 12, 1892.

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(No Model.)

A. J. WELLS.-

FILE CASE.

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Patented Jan. 12, 1892.

(NO Model.) 3- Sheets-Sheet 3.

A. J. WELLS.- FILE CASE.

No. 466,969. 4 Patented Jan. 12, 1892.

lflg i f. m %x' A V V WITNESSES:

UNHED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR J. ELLS, OF SYRACUSE, NEYV YORK.

FILE-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 466,969, dated January 12, 1892.

Application filed December 8, 1890. Serial No. 373,855. (No model.)

T0 to whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR J. WELLS, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in File-Gases, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improved filecase, and has for its object the production of a simple and eifective construction for enabling letters, circulars, and other matter to be readily and quickly assembled according to a distinguishing letter or other symbol.

To this end the invention consists, essentially, in an inclosing shell or case, a series of partitions adjustable toward and away from each other within the case for providing the same with a series of adjustable compartments, and a series of files between the partitions.

The invention furthermore consists in a series of tags for designating the compartments, a movable cover for the case, having a movable folding plate, and the detail construction and arrangement of its parts, all as hereinafter more particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the vlews.

Figure 1 represents an isometric perspective of my improved filing-case shown with its cover and movable plate in operative position. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the case with the cover shown as in its closed position. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the case for illustrating the construction and arrangement of the adjustable compartments. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line :r 00, Fig. 3 for illustrating particularly the construction of the adjustable partitions. Fig. 5 is ahorizontal sectional view taken on line 3 y, Fig. 4, showing the attachment of the distinguishing -tag for the partitions. Fig. 6 is a perspective of the detached tag, and Fig. 7 is an isometric perspective of a file adapted to be removably mounted in my improved case.

This invention is particularly applicable in the various offices in which mail, circulars, and like articles are filed away according to some distinguishing letter or symbol thereon.

I am aware that there have been constructed various files for this purpose; but I am not informed that there has been devised a file having adjustable compartments in order to enable conformity to the variations which naturally occur, since, for instance, in filing away letters there are a great many more received from persons whose surname commences with certain letters of the alphabet than with others.

My invention is furthermore designed to greatly reduce the time required either for filing or finding any previously-filed letter, circular, or other article, and this desirable result is effected by a working plate which is movably mounted on the hinged cover of the case, enabling the operator to remove from its particular compartment the detachable file in which the same is kept and then support the file upon the working plate during use.

The outer inclosing shellA of myimproved filing-ease may be of desirable form, size, and construction, and is here illustrated as an ob- So long box having the movable cover B hinged at one extremity b and removably secured at its opposite extremity by a catch 1), the construction of which is immaterial and unnecessary to herein describe.

C 0 represent supports or straps for the cover B, which enable it to swing downward into a plane forming an obtuse angle with the front of the case, a working facing C. These supports or straps are of any desirable 9o material, and are preferably constructed of sheet metal for the purpose of aifordin g great strength.

D represents the plate, having a facing D, upon which the operator supports the re 5 spective files when using or examining them. This working plate D may be of desirable form, size, and construction, and is illustrated as having one extremity cl hinged to the free end of the cover B and the other end sup- 10o ported by straps Z), which allow the plate D to assume a plane at substantially right angles to the cover B.

The base A of the shell or case A is provided with the upwardly-extending shoulder E, having adjustably mounted thereon a series of partitions F, which subdivide the case A into a series of adjustable compartments, which in use preferably remain normally fixed until further adjustment. These partitions F may be of any desirable form, size, and construction, and may be secured in any desirable manner to the base A. As illustrated, however, the partitions are formed of spring-wire bent into a triple- U shape, formed with the center U inverted and somewhat contracted. The lower ends fof the wire composing the partition F engage apertures or slots e, formed in the edge of the shoulder E, and are provided with angular or laterallyextending feet f, which contact with ashoulder 6, formed in the edge of the base E. This construction of partition F and shoulder E holds the former rigidly in its adjusted position; but it will be understood that this is not the only one for attaining this desirable result.

To designate one compartment from another, I provide suitable tags G, which are secured to the base E and are preferably removable therefrom for allowing their position to be varied in conformity to the variation in the compartments. These tags G are preferably formed with a T- shaped end G, composed of the central bar 9 and the lateral arms 9'. The edge of the shoulder E of the base A is preferably formed of a thin plate bent into a U shape and formed in its central portion with a series of transverse slots, which form the slots 6. When inserting the tag G, it is held edgewise and caused to enter the slots e, after which it assumes a flat position, whereupon the arms g bear against the inner face of the plate E and securely retain the tag in position.

Within the compartments of my improved case are suitable files H, which are preferably removable, as best seen in Fig. 7. These may be of desirable form and construction, but are here illustrated as formed of the stiif side pieces H, the open folding ends h, formed with the lower closed extremity, and the partitions h. The front side is shorter than the partitions h, and at the upper extremity of said partitions is an index formed by a series of cut-outs k each one longer than the preceding in order that when the file is in its closed position the particular letter or symbol for designating each partition It may be readily apparent, and thus facilitate rapid operation. One or more of these files are removably supported in the various compartments of my filing-case and when desired for use are readily removed and placed upon the plate D, as shown by dotted lines at Fig. 1, with their lower edge h at the edge d of the plate and their open top edge showing in plan view the distinguishing-letters of the various compartments.

The operation of my invention will be readily perceived from the foregoing description and upon reference to the drawings, and 1t will be noted that its parts are very simple, economical, and readily assembled, and lts operation both simple and effective, and that the compartments are readily adjusted to suit the variation of the letters, 850., under the difierent distinguishing-marks, and that the filing and finding of particular letters, circulars, &c., is greatly facilitated. It is evident, however, that the detail construction and arrangement of the parts of myimproved case may be somewhat varied from that shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combinatiomwith an inclosing case and a movable cover therefor,of a series of normally-fixed adjustable compartments within the same and having projections adapted to engage a supporting-wall, substantially as an d for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with an inclosing case and a movable cover therefor, of a series of partitions within the case, having one extremity adjustably mounted upon one wall thereof, with the other extremity unsupported and projecting from said wall, said partitions being movable toward and away from each other for forming a series-of compartments, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination,with an inclosing case, of a series of partitions composed of spring material mounted within the case and adjustable toward and away from each other for forming a series of adjustable compartments, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination, with an inclosing case, of a series of partitions within the case, adjustable toward and away from each other for forming a series of compartments, and a file removably mounted in one or more of the compartments, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination, with an inclosing case, of a series of partitions composed of spring material mounted within 'the case and adj ustable toward and away from each other for forming a series of adjustable compartments, and one or more files removably supported between one or more of said partitions, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. The combination, with an inclosing case, of a series of normally-fixed adjustable compartments within the case, and a tag for designating the compartments, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination, with an inclosing case, of a series of partitions within the case, adj ustable toward and away from each other for forming a series of compartments, a file removably mounted in one or more of the compartments, and a tag for designating one or more of the compartments, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ICC

IIO

8. The combination,with an inclosing case having an upwardlyextending projecting shoulder on its lower base, of a series of seats in the shoulder, a series of partitions removably secured in said seats, and a series of files reinovably mounted between the partitions, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The oombination,witl1 an inclosing ease having an upwardly-extending projecting shoulder on its lower base, of a series of seats in the shoulder, a series of partitions removably secured in said seats for forming a series of compartments, a series of files removably mounted between the partitions, and a series of tags removably mounted on said base for designating the compartments, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. The combination,with an inclosing case having a movable cover, of a plate D for folding upon the cover and a series of removable filesin said case, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

11. The combination, with an inclosing case having a hinged cover, straps for holding the cover in its open position, a plate having one edge hinged to the cover, and straps for supporting the plate in its open position, of a series of removable files in said case, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

. 12. The combination, with an inclosin g case having a hinged cover, straps for holding the coverin its open position, a plate having one edge hinged to the cover, and straps for supporting the plate in its open position, of a series of adjustable partitions within the case and a series of removable files mounted in said partitions, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 17th day of November, 1890.

- ARTHUR J. XVELLS.

Witnesses:

CLARK H. NORTON, L. M. BAXTER. 

